TAKE A BOW: AREA ARCHERS HONE SKILLS AT 3-D PRACTICE FACILITY

Imagine a golf course where the object is to shoot turkeys and deer, rather than eagles and birdies.

That's basically the concept behind the 3-D Archery Shoots being held by Yancy Poorman at Lake Twappity in Chaffee.

Poorman, the owner of Top Flight Archery, designed an archery course similar to a golf course in the woods of Lake Twappity. The course features 25 different shooting areas along a dirt path in the woods with free-standing, full-bodied animal targets.

"It's not your average archery course," said Poorman. "We've got tree stands that have to be climbed up, moving targets and other different things just to make things fun."

Two archery tournaments have already been held at the course, with four more scheduled by the end of September.

"We had 62 archers at the first tournament and the only exposure we had was from flyers and word-of-mouth," said Poorman. "We would like to have 100 each time."

Remaining tournament dates are Aug. 31 and Sept. 7, 14 and 21. Cost to enter is $7 for adults and $5 for children under 11.

Archers are divided into different classifications with trophies awarded for first place and t-shirts for second and third. Also, prizes are awarded to the top five archers in the youth, or "Cub", division.

"It's not a big high-pressure thing," Poorman said. "We want it to be enjoyable. A place where people who enjoy the sport of archery can come and shoot."

Archers are encouraged to travel the one-mile course at their own pace, with white numbers marking the 25 different shooting areas. Similar to golf, three different shooting areas -- for different skill levels -- are designated by different colored stakes.

Said Poorman: "The Masters shoot from the farthest stake, bow hunters, women and youths shoot from the middle stake, and we have a stake up close to the target for the Cubs."

International Bowhunting Organization (IBO) rules are used during the tournaments, but aren't strictly enforced.

"If a family comes and wants to go through together, we'll let them go through with a group as big as eight or nine," said Poorman. "We also use the honor-system for scoring. We figure the other archers in the group will keep them honest."

Besides a practice range, a concession stand serving hot dogs and sodas is also on the premises.

"We designed this to be for all the hunters in the area who need a place to practice and don't want to spend $100-$150 on a target," Poorman said. "We've got 25 to 30 different targets they can shoot at."

Once reaching Chaffee, big red arrows on road signs should direct you to the shoot sight on road RA. For more information, contact Poorman in Chaffee at (573)-733-4178.